THE

FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE

THESSALONIANS.

Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia, in which ST. PAUL,
having preached the Gospel, converted some Jews, and a great number of the
Gentiles: but the unbelieving Jews, envying his success, raised such a commotion
against him, that he, and his companion, Sylvanus, were obliged to quit the
city. Afterwards he went to Athens, where he had heard the converts in
Thessalonica were under a severe persecution ever since his departure; and, lest
they should lose fortitude, he sent Timothy to strengthen and comfort them in
their sufferings. In the mean time ST. PAUL came to Corinth, where he
wrote this first Epistle, and also the second to the THESSALONIANS, both
in the same year, being the nineteenth after our Lord's Ascension. These are the
first of his Epistles in the order of time.

Chapter 1

He gives thanks for the graces bestowed on the Thessalonians.

1 Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy: to the church of the Thessalonians, in
God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all;
making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing,

3 Being mindful of the work of your faith, and labor, and charity, and of
the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father:

4 Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election:

5 For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also,
and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we
have been among you for your sakes.

6 And you became followers of us, and of the Lord; receiving the word in
much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

7 So that you were made a pattern to all that believe in Macedonia and in
Achaia.

8 For from you was spread abroad the word of the Lord, not only in
Macedonia, and in Achaia, but also in every place, your faith which is towards
God, is gone forth, so that we need not to speak any thing.

9 For they themselves relate of us, what manner of entering in we had unto
you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God.

10 And to wait for his Son from heaven (whom he raised up from the dead,)
Jesus, who hath delivered us from the wrath to come.

Chapter 2

The sincerity of the apostle's preaching the gospel to them: and of their
receiving it.

1 For yourselves know, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it was not
in vain:

2 But having suffered many things before, and been shamefully treated (as
you know) at Philippi, we had confidence in our God, to speak unto you the
gospel of God in much carefulness.

3 For our exhortation was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deceit:

4 But as we were approved by God that the gospel should be committed to
us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who proveth our hearts.

5 For neither have we used, at any time, the speech of flattery, as you
know; nor taken an occasion of covetousness, God is witness:

6 Nor sought we glory of men, neither of you, nor of others.
7 Whereas we might have been burdensome to you, as the apostles of Christ:
but we became little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse should cherish
her children:

8 So desirous of you, we would gladly impart unto you not only the gospel
of God, but also our own souls: because you were become most dear unto us.

9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil: working night and day,
lest we should be chargeable to any of you, we preached among you the gospel
of God.

10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and without
blame, we have been to you that have believed:

11 As you know in what manner, entreating and comforting you, (as a father
doth his children,)

12 We testified to every one of you, that you would walk worthy of God, who
hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

13 Therefore, we also give thanks to God without ceasing: because, that
when you had received of us the word of the hearing of God, you received it
not as the word of men, but (as it is indeed) the word of God, who worketh in
you that have believed.

14 For you, brethren, are become followers of the churches of God which are
in Judea, in Christ Jesus: for you also have suffered the same things from
your own countrymen, even as they have from the Jews,

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and the prophets, and have persecuted
us, and please not God, and are adversaries to all men;

16 Prohibiting us to speak to the Gentiles, that they may be saved, to fill
up their sins always: for the wrath of God is come upon them to the end.

17 But we, brethren, being taken away from you for a short time, in sight,
not in heart, have hastened the more abundantly to see your face with great
desire.

18 For we would have come unto you, I Paul indeed, once and again: but
Satan hath hindered us.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glory? Are not you, in the
presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For you are our glory and joy.

Chapter 3

The apostle's concern and love for the Thessalonians.

1 For which cause, forbearing no longer, we thought it good to remain at
Athens alone:

2 And we sent Timothy, our brother, and the minister of God in the gospel
of Christ, to confirm you and exhort you concerning your faith:

3 That no man should be moved in these tribulations: for yourselves know,
that we are appointed thereunto.

4 For even when we were with you, we foretold you that we should suffer
tribulations, as also it is come to pass, and you know.

5 For this cause also, I, forbearing no longer, sent to know your faith:
lest perhaps he that tempteth should have tempted you, and our labour should
be made vain.

6 But now when Timothy came to us from you, and related to us your faith
and charity, and that you have a good remembrance of us always, desiring to
see us as we also to see you;

7 Therefore we were comforted, brethren, in you, in all our necessity and
tribulation, by your faith,

8 Because now we live, if you stand in the Lord.

9 For what thanks can we return to God for you, in all the joy wherewith
we rejoice for you before our God,

10 Night and day more abundantly praying that we may see your face, and may
accomplish those things that are wanting to your faith?

12 And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in charity towards one
another, and towards all men: as we do also towards you,

13 To confirm your hearts without blame, in holiness, before God and our
Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen.

Chapter 4

He exhorts them to purity and mutual charity: he treats the resurrection
of the dead.

1 For the rest therefore, brethren, we pray and beseech you in the Lord
Jesus, that as you have received from us, how you ought to walk, and to please
God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more.

2 For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you should
abstain from fornication;

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honor:

5 Not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles that know not God:

6 And that no man overreach, nor circumvent his brother in business:
because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you
before, and have testified.

7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification.

8 Therefore, he that despiseth these things, despiseth not man, but God,
who also hath given his holy Spirit in us.

9 But as touching the charity of brotherhood, we have no need to write to
you: for yourselves have learned of God to love one another.

10 For indeed you do it towards all the brethren in all Macedonia. But we
entreat you, brethren, that you abound more:

11 And that you use your endeavor to be quiet, and that you do your own
business, and work with your own hands, as we commanded you: and that you
walk honestly towards them that are without; and that you want nothing of any
man's.

12 And we will not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that are
asleep, that you be not sorrowful, even as others who have no hope.

13 For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again; even so them who have
slept through Jesus, will God bring with him.

14 For this we say unto you in the word of the Lord, that we who are alive,
who remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them who have slept.

15 For the Lord himself shall come down from heaven with commandment, and
with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead who
are in Christ, shall rise first.

16 Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them
in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air, and so shall we be always with the
Lord.

17 Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words.

Chapter 5

The day of the Lord shall come, when least expected. Exhortations to
several duties.

1 But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should
write to you;

2 For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come,
as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden
destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they
shall not escape.

4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake
you as a thief.

5 For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are
not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch, and be
sober.

7 For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunk, are
drunk in the night.

8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, having on the breastplate of
faith and charity, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

9 For God hath not appointed us unto wrath, but unto the purchasing of
salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us; that, whether we watch or sleep, we may live together
with him.

11 For which cause comfort one another; and edify one another, as you also
do.

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are
over you in the Lord, and admonish you:

13 That you esteem them more abundantly in charity, for their work's sake.
Have peace with them.

14 And we beseech you, brethren, rebuke the unquiet, comfort the feeble
minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men.

15 See that none render evil for evil to any man; but ever follow that
which is good towards each other, and towards all men.

16 Always rejoice.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you all.

19 Extinguish not the spirit.

20 Despise not prophecies.

21 But prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves.

23 And may the God of peace himself sanctify you in all things; that your
whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless in the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 He is faithful who hath called you, who also will do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord, that this epistle be read to all the holy
brethren.